CALGARY -- Canada's military mission in Afghanistan met with skepticism from the Dalai Lama yesterday in Calgary.

And the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet predicted he'll one day return to the homeland he fled 50 years ago.

Following a question and answer session with an audience of 1,200 at the Telus Convention Centre, the 74-year-old Buddhist monk said the jury is still out on NATO's campaign in Afghanistan.
But he said countries like Canada should leave Afghanistan's fate to its own people following efforts that so far have failed.

"Your government solving man-made problems using force is a mistake -- it's up to the Afghan people," said the Dalai Lama, who finished a two-day visit to the city as part of the University of Calgary-organized NOW conference.